Is Being Left Handed Genetic ?

gubble

Being left handed myself I've often wondered if it's genetic. Looking online some say it is some say it isn't.

Apparently 10% of the population are left handed, however on my father's side of the family it's currently at least 50% (I've no idea about a few people as they're no longer with us so guessed that they're probably right handed). This would suggest it is genetic.

Has anyone here looked into this and could possibly explain in a way where I don't require a doctorate in brain function to understand?

lloyd

Your sample is waaaaaaaaay too small to be used as any kind of evidence, for anything.

octatonic

It is believed to be genetic, but not down to one single genetic locus (specific positions of a gene's DNA sequence).
If both your parents are left handed you have roughly a 25% chance of being left handed yourself.

There are thought to be around 40 genetic loci that contribute towards an individuals handedness, which can be right, left, cross dominant (changing hands for different tasks- this is what I am), ambidextrous or ambilevous (the opposite of ambidextrous).

Troy

Left handed people are sinister.

lloyd

Troy said:

Left handed people are sinister.

Nice work.

Rocker

In the Irish language Citeog means left handed. AFAIK, the word Citeog translates to Awkward.

littlegreenman

Troy said:

Left handed people are sinister.

FelineGuitars

Sinister actually just means left handed - but with the negative connotations that superstitious fools from the middle ages put onto the phenomenon.

sinister

ˈsɪnɪstə/

adjective

adjective: sinister

1. 1. 

   giving the impression that something harmful or evil is happening or will happen.

   "there was something sinister about that murmuring voice"

   synonyms:

   menacing, threatening, ominous, forbidding, baleful, frightening, eerie, alarming, disturbing, disquieting, dark, black, suggestive of evil, evil-looking; More
   • evil or criminal.

     "there might be a more sinister motive behind the government's actions"

2. 

HERALDRYarchaic

of, on, or towards the left-hand side (in a coat of arms, from the bearer's point of view, i.e. the right as it is depicted).

Origin

late Middle English (in the sense ‘malicious, underhand’): from Old French sinistre or Latin sinister ‘left’.

Reverend

I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous. 

axisus

lloyd said:

Your sample is waaaaaaaaay too small to be used as any kind of evidence, for anything.

It is evidence of an insufficient study

lloyd

FelineGuitars said:

Sinister actually just means left handed - but with the negative connotations that superstitious fools from the middle ages put onto the phenomenon.

sinister

ˈsɪnɪstə/

adjective

adjective: sinister

1. 1. 

   giving the impression that something harmful or evil is happening or will happen.

   "there was something sinister about that murmuring voice"

   synonyms:

   menacing, threatening, ominous, forbidding, baleful, frightening, eerie, alarming, disturbing, disquieting, dark, black, suggestive of evil, evil-looking; More

   • evil or criminal.

     "there might be a more sinister motive behind the government's actions"
2. 2. 

   HERALDRYarchaic

   of, on, or towards the left-hand side (in a coat of arms, from the bearer's point of view, i.e. the right as it is depicted).

Origin

late Middle English (in the sense ‘malicious, underhand’): from Old French sinistre or Latin sinister ‘left’.

Yeah, but Troy done it better.

axisus

I am right handed but I think my brain is wired wrong. I can only shoot rifles/arrows etc with a left handed stance. Right handed feels totally wrong.

I can actually use both hands pretty well, only complex stuff like writing is beyond my left hand. I use whichever hand is nearest for most tasks.

CHRISB50

I'm left handed and my wife is left handed, but our two daughters are both right handed. 

I'm also quite sinister, but not very awkward. 

bingefeller

Paedophiles are three times more likely to be left handed or ambidextrous and that's scientific fact as per Dr James Cantor's research.  

EricTheWeary

From what I remember looking at handedness on my degree (million years ago)  there is a wide range and tests you can do to see where you are on the scale. The whorl (spll?) on the top of your head is a strong indicator of it; IIRC only very left handed men have their bollocks the other way round to normal (I can't currently check but the right one is higher in most men I think). 
I don't know if there is a Darwinian purpose to handedness. 

octatonic said:

It is believed to be genetic, but not down to one single genetic locus (specific positions of a gene's DNA sequence).
If both your parents are left handed you have roughly a 25% chance of being left handed yourself.

There are thought to be around 40 genetic loci that contribute towards an individuals handedness, which can be right, left, cross dominant (changing hands for different tasks- this is what I am), ambidextrous or ambilevous (the opposite of ambidextrous).

lloyd

This thread is just about wanking isn't it?

TheBlueWolf

lloyd said:

This thread is just about wanking isn't it?

Ergo my being left handed means I'm a sinister wanker

holnrew

I'm right handed but pee with my left

octatonic

holnrew said:

I'm right handed but pee with my left

I'm pretty sure it should come out your knob.

stratman3142

I'm left handed but do most things right handed, apart from writing. I play guitar right handed, hold a cricket bat or golf club right handed - I'll stop there with the details.

Getting back to the OP, my brother is left handed but does most things left handed. My grandfather was left handed. I'm not sure if it's genetic. It might be a coincidence.

I'm an engineer by profession and many of the people I work are left handed. I think there's a link between being left handed, maths and engineering - combined with a complete lack of fashion sense.

Drew_TNBD

*yawn*